Kyoko: Oh my goodness how long has it been since I last posted a chapter?! I've been so busy... and I have exams tomorrow! O.O But now it's here and its time to continue the story, so... summary, please!
Mario: In the last chapter Ai was captured... but will she be saved? And Wolf manages to contact the Great Fox somehow. And as for Dedede, well... let's just say its a nightmare on that Wolfen! JapanFan Kyoko does not own any SSB characters but she does own all current and old SMASH! News team workers.
An icy grip rooted her to the floor, seizing her shoulders and bending her backwards. A lizard-like animal with a thick metal tail was the captor, drumming its jagged claws along her arms as two blue eyes fell upon them with disbelief. Pit's wings drooped as grief plagued his fragile form and pulled him to the floor. Almost as pitiful as the sight before him, the angel curled into a ball and sobbed, peering from behind his eyes at Ai.
"Come on, Pit," Marth said, his eyes fixed upon the creature's armoured face. It bore a long snout and two pointed ears flattened onto its head which flickered at the sound of Pit's sorrowful crying. Just ahead in the torrential downpour another creature bent down onto its hind legs and snarled down into the sodden gardens at a black figure scuttling across it like an ant. Its growl echoed the thunder in the skies and, like the lightning, it crashed down from the castle.
Despite Snake's explanation, Metaknight was nowhere to be seen. It took about a minute for the blue-haired warrior to recognize the half terrified, half incensed outline of Falco with his back pressed against the wall of the building, his blaster in his hand. He said nothing, merely inching forward at a snail's pace, his eyes wide and drained of life. Ai waited, forcing her shaking body to calm itself, repressing the agonizing burn of tears swelling in her chest. Silently she told herself to wait patiently. "They would never abandon me, would they?" she thought, closing her eyes.
Before another breath was drawn Marth lunged forward, his blade dancing in silver waves across in the darkness, and thrust it into the shoulder of the animal, just behind Ai's head. With an almost inaudible click of his tongue he retreated back, his pale face flushing a deep red of embarrassment.
"Do something!" Marth yelled as the creature stared up at the ceiling with a smug expression. "F-Falco, what are you doing?!"
But their leader struggled to express his words. If spoken he felt they would become meaningless, it was better that nothing was said at all. To tell the truth, he was submerged in horror.
"I can't," he murmured. "There isn't anything we can do. You've seen it, Marth, you've seen what happens when we try to intervene,"
Even Pit became silent after those words. Marth stepped forwards with caution, watching the lizard-like creature step back onto the drenched balcony with Ai.
"I can't believe you," he growled, his fists shaking. "You have no right to decide this!"
"You don't understand," the bird retorted. "It knows what we're thinking. If we try to save her, she dies. If we leave her, she dies. It's a tough situation, Marth, and as much as I would like to help..."
"You idiot," Marth spat.
His mind bewildered by Falco's change in tone, Marth sidestepped to his right and glared at him with a hatred aggravated by his stubbornness. If he were the rebellious sort of person he would have directed his next sword thrust at the bird with no hesitation. However, the swordsman composed himself and dived onto the superior Smasher, falling into Ai and knocking her from the creature's grasp. Ai, still shocked by Falco's response, quickly jumped to her feet and rushed out of the door without another word.
At once the animal roared furiously and thundered down the steps with Pit flying just behind. Ai entered the main hall gasping for breath but never paused to look behind her. She welcomed the rain as it poured down her face. Suddenly, before she could flee down the woodland path she felt herself being hoisted into the air, two arms wrapped round her waist.
"Don't worry, Ai!" Pit said, panting. His toes grazed the grey roofs of the fortress, the two of them soaked to the skin. Even as he descended onto the highest turret, he kept a firm grip on her and laid his head upon her shoulder.
"He should never...never have said that," he breathed into her ear. "Even if the chance of survival is small I would do anything to save someone's life..."
Ai coughed feebly and lifted her head to meet two shining sapphire eyes. "It isn't his fault," she said. Their hearts pounded, resembling the drums of the sky. "He didn't mean what he said."
"But his face!" Pit exclaimed. "Did you see his face? I've never seen him look so afraid!"
"No!" Ai cried, shaking her head furiously. Feeling her mixed emotions ascend into her throat and burn her face tore her trench coat from her body and threw it onto the floor. The wind ruffled her white blouse. "No! He wasn't afraid!"
The angel grasped her more tightly upon hearing her strained voice, tears filling his eyes again. "Please don't, Ai. I can't cope with any more sadness from anyone,"
They sank down onto the roof, embracing the refreshing rain and each other's clammy hands. A whirlwind of thoughts bombarded her mind, though they had now settled more since the rain had cooled her. Her only wish was to be back in the ship, back in the cockpit with Falco again, thawed by a loving embrace that she had desired for so long. The silence was broken by another clash of thunder and a bolt of yellow lightning, and they broke away. Pit smiled reassuringly and fluttered his wings to shower her with more cooling raindrops. Then the growling of the sky resumed, deeper and more frequent, even though the rain had now become a light drizzle.
"Ai," Pit whispered, his eyes wide with fear. "What is that?"
"The thunder," Uncertainty crept into Ai's voice. "Isn't it?"
They listened. The thunder drew closer, an engine droning. The angel nervously unsheathed the swords from his golden bow and held them up in an offensive posture. Camouflaged against the sheet of grey rainfall the source of the thunder stealthily clambered onto the roof, its brilliant red eyes fixed upon its prey.
"Ai! Get out of the way!" A beast swooped over their heads, kicking Ai from the turret. Just before she fell onto a stone wall several feet below, she was dragged upwards into the air and high above the white stronghold. This time she knew it couldn't be Pit; her arms were clamped to her sides and the creature's expression bore no mercy.
The voice belonged to Metaknight who had somehow disposed of his chaser earlier. In a flash of violet he leapt from the turret, Galaxia slicing through the screen of rain.
Marth climbed onto the balcony fence on the highest level and pulled himself onto a stone statue perched on the roof. His eyes desperately searched the ground for Roy despite knowing he was asking for an early death if he continued.
Metaknight followed the frightened cries for help as he soared through the air, pinpointing the wavering movements of the animal's awkward turn to the left. Ai's red coat would have made the job a lot easier, but he relished the fact that, unlike a normal bat, his eyesight didn't hinder him. On the other hand, his eyes were drawn to the blue figure on the opposite side of the turret to Marth.
"Metaknight!" Falco called, pulling his jacket tighter around him as the wind ruthlessly battered the fortress. "Catch the superior Smasher's attention and guide it to the roof. I may be able to save her,"
"'May' is not acceptable!" Metaknight snapped. "You either can or you can't!"
"I can." the bird retorted. He received a glare. "I can! Now do as I say and bring them here!"
The purple-winged swordsman shot him another doubtful look then soared upwards again, catching the increasing current. The rhythmic beating of silken white wings approached him long before a brunet youth in a white tunic seared past him. Metaknight could only sigh in pity for the angel's carelessness, but at that point he realised if he timed his asking right, Pit could actually be more of a help than a nuisance for once.
"Pit!" he called in a booming voice. The angel slowed his wing beats and swerved round.
"Oh, Metaknight! I'm so glad you're here!" he panted. Wearily he sheathed his swords and tucked them back into his belt. "What should we do? Oh, this is all my fault! I should never have let her go!"
"What are you talking about?" demanded Metaknight. Tightly he grabbed Pit's sweaty palm and continued flying. "Come, we shall talk and fly otherwise there will be no chance of saving her!"
Pit gulped and nodded, his face burning red. Hastily he explained how he had grabbed Ai before the superior Smasher captured her again, only to be snatched once he had let his guard down.
"Stop blaming yourself," Metaknight sighed. "Listen, I need you to fly in front of the superior Smasher. I'll go in front of you, but what I need you to do is follow me towards the castle, OK?"
A waterfall cascaded over Metaknight's visor, dripping down and disappearing into a churning grey abyss beneath them. Pit was given no chance to reply, for as soon as he had inclined his head he was pushed forward by a gust of wind and into the path of the rampaging superior Smasher, spinning head over heels. He balanced himself and turned so he was facing the creature. It was awkward to fly backwards, especially when the wind was against him, and just as he was about to dive out of the way, the wind cruelly thrust him against the face of the beast.
"Pit?" a girl's voice called out. Ai's hair was a chaotic tangled mess hiding her brown eyes. The mechanical beast roared in fury, its eyes flashing, its metal-spiked tail thrashing the air. Pit was too afraid to say anything.
He pulled his knees into his chest a and carefully sidled onto the beast's cold back. Then, as if steadying himself on a surfboard, he rose, very slowly, pressing his hands over superior Smasher's eyes. The Smasher's roar could have shattered the sky, broken fragile clouds. Pit courageously jumped up and plummeted to the ground, returning sight to the malicious beast.
He caught up with Metaknight who waved him away agitatedly. "You're too close!" he said impatiently. "Move back a little,"
Obediently Pit did as he was told. He descended a little further so he was only a few feet from the ground, leaving Metaknight high above him. Lightning claws scratched the sky, and for a moment Metaknight became totally black like a shadow. Breathlessly Pit looked over his shoulder and gasped. The superior Smasher was close enough to gnaw at his feet.
"Now, Pit!" Metaknight slowed and dropped vertically. Pit ascended to meet him and never stopped flying upwards.
"Keep following me," he instructed. "Lead the superior Smasher to the highest turret. It's up to you now,"
"A-alright!" Pit replied anxiously. His comrade lowered his head curtly then threw his cape over his face and vanished.
The superior Smasher snapped at Pit's ankles as he slowed down. Beyond the trees he recognised the figures of Marth and Falco atop Tsuruga. A sword cut at the sky in an arc, beckoning him forward. The angel tore the skies like an arrow, desperate to reach them, always conscious of the distance between him and the terror behind him.
"Just a little further!" Marth yelled.
He was so close now, close enough to see the tiny lettering on the signs below him, the expressions on his friends faces. And then he shot past them, too scared to slow down, feeling a rush of air, shouting, heavy thuds, catching a flash of blue. He spun round, inhaling deeply, clutching his chest as the superior Smasher plunged down into the trees clawing the air, roaring wildly. Ai, Marth and Falco descended with it. They grasped onto its bulky steel frame as its body collided with the stone floor and smash its head against it with a sickening crack.
"Ai!" Pit couldn't help gasping in relief as Ai gradually pulled herself out from under the weight of the Smasher. Her legs, numbed by the unimaginable heaviness of something twice her height, were trapped underneath the unconscious creature. She clutched the grass beneath her as the pain sank into her whole body, biting its teeth into her bones.
Marth had survived the fall and lay uncomfortably on a branch in a pine tree. "Is she...?" he wheezed. "Is she alright?"
There was a muffled shout; then again it could have been a mumble. They couldn't tell. Only Pit could see what had happened. Pit rapidly flew down to the ground, grabbing Marth and placing him down on the floor.
"Can you see him?" he asked fretfully. He saw two blue hands thumping the ground beside him.
"...Who?"
"Marth! Ai and Falco are trapped under there!"
Pit frantically commanded Marth to release Falco while he helped Ai. After much pulling and shoving of the colossal beast, Ai kicked against its back and crawled onto her knees, her once white blouse now stained green. Before she could say anything her comrade embraced her again and laughed in delight as if it had all been a dream.
"Oh, Ai!" he exclaimed, his wings fluttering excitedly. His laugh wavered like the shrill cry of a songbird. "You're alright, aren't you? Are you hurt?"
Ai could barely speak from shock, but even without a verbal reply a simple nod and smile silenced his worries.
"And you, Falco? Oh yes, I'm fine except I MIGHT HAVE BROKEN MY LEGS!"
The trio stared the bad-tempered bird. Dragging his trapped jacket sleeve from under the Smasher's head, he lost his footing on the wet grass and slipped onto the floor; the jacket was still stuck. Only Ai was fooled by his melodramatic performance and, with a serious look of concern, she grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet.
"Pit, grab his other arm," she said.
"At least someone cares," Falco sighed with a smile. "After what I've been through to look after you,"
"Look after!" Ai replied, astonished. "I know how to look after myself!"
"Then you wouldn't have gotten kidnapped,"
"B-but that's different!"
"Oh really?"
"Yes!"
"Come on guys," said Marth, stepping between them. "All that matters is that we have Ai back, right?"
The four companions walked through the wooded paths leading away from Tsuruga. Everything glistened from the shower; raindrops lazily dived from arched leaves and into bottomless glass puddles. Ai knew Falco was right, she couldn't take care of herself. Just like the rain comes, you must make the most of the time and hold onto it for as long as possible before it leaves again. One day there would be a time which she, too, would have to return to Japan for good and leave the Smashers. Although she was treated as one -especially by Falco and Pit- she knew wasn't and would never be a Smasher.
"I wonder where Metaknight and Snake are," Pit yawned. "I haven't seen them for a long time."
The grand blossom-lined streets suddenly seemed a lot darker, a lot more sinister. Even the pale pink petals seemed to hesitantly brush the ground as if they would cause an earthquake if they accidentally fell too heavily. Only the whisper of the wind which crept through the branches accompanied the Smashers and Ai as they walked. Distant voices of the ghost town floated on the tables of empty cafés; the melodic laughter of children, the chatter among tourists, wandering, searching for their physical forms.
Soon the Great Fox rose into view, still parked on the grass. Perched on the wing of the ship was a small purple shape with two feet dangling over the edge, a jagged sword in its hand.
"I was wondering when you would arrive," Metaknight sighed, watching them from beneath his silver visor. "Snake has some important news,"
"Since when did Snake have anything interesting to announce?" Falco replied sarcastically.
"He has detected Wolf on the intercom," the warrior continued.
"So?"
Marth nudged him, knocking him off balance. However, even as he stumbled onto his knees and mumbled under his breath, the name Wolf erased all other thoughts present at the time. "So, er... Why?"
"You should go and speak to him," said Metaknight as a matter-of-factly. Dismissing them with a swift wave of his cape, he disappeared again, brushing the last of the rainfall from his cape.
The soaked comrades willingly gathered in the Great Fox, relieved to be inside again. As Metaknight said, Snake was lounging on a chair in the cockpit talking through the intercom. It was unusual to hear that he was speaking with serious concern as he nodded his head almost sympathetically, resting his chin on his hands. Falco pushed past the group and rushed inside.
"Oh, hi," Snake said with a yawn. He tilted his head towards him and smiled. "He's here now. Do you want to speak to him?"
The intercom screen crackled like an old film, fading, reappearing and losing its colour. After a few seconds a wolf's head materialised on the intercom screen looking as though it had also been captured by the rain. As Snake casually went into the main room, Falco couldn't help but laugh as he saw Wolf. He sat down on the chair and stared at the two miserable grey eyes gazing back at him.
"Don't you dare!" Wolf snapped crossly. "You don't even know what's happened!"
"It's a bit obvious," Falco replied, stifling his laughter. "You got caught in the storm and lost everyone. Am I right or am I right?"
"No!" Wolf yelled. "I've been thrown out of my ship! My own ship! Mutiny spread faster than the plague!"
"Mutiny?" The slow drip of sarcasm ceased. "How?" the bird demanded.
"I... Well... Look, I can't really explain right now. Does Ai know any lakes in Niigata?"
"I don't know, does you know any lakes in Niigata?" Falco laughed, releasing the uncontrollable sarcasm building up in his voice. Wolf, however, was not amused by his pun.
"Not me. Ai." Wolf growled, flattening his ears. "I was thrown from my ship and into a lake. Do you think she will know about the lakes in Niigata prefecture?"
Falco held his breath and turned round on his chair to see Ai chatting with Pit. He raised his eyebrows and shook his head.
"Well?"
"I've just thought of something..." Falco announced out loud. "How are you able to communicate if you've been thrown off the Wolfen?"
"Hacked into a telephone box," Wolf said proudly. "It has a screen and everything. Now come on, would she know? I'm freezing out here and my feet are numb..."
"Aw... Oh right, er, hold on a minute. Ai!"
Five heads whipped round simultaneously and looked into the dimly lit cockpit. Sustaining a smile upon her lips she skipped in the room and sat down on a seat next to Falco. "Yes?"
"Niigata," Wolf repeated impatiently. "Tell this idiot if you know anything, anything at all about lakes in Niigata."
Ai tapped her finger on her bottom lip in thought. "Let me think..."
"I don't have time," Wolf retorted, though his tone with less stern. "Do you know anything? I mean, its pretty big, has a few ducks... Basically just a typical lake. Nothing special, I guess..."
"Did you fall in?"
"What do you think?!"
Ai guiltily moved closer to the intercom screen and looked. Indeed the lupine was dripping and dishevelled, just like his emotions. And his voice, though it was impossible to tell whether or not it was for sympathy, was as low as a sad cello.
"You poor thing..." Ai murmured softly. Wolf slapped his forehead.
"So do you know anything or not?!"
"Oh, yes," Ai replied. "I think there's a lake called Lake Hyo. That's the only one I know."
"OK, that's perfect. That's all I needed to know. Will you be able to meet me there?"
"No problem!"
"Er, do I get a say in this?" Falco chimed in. "Fine, we'll meet you there. I'll try and contact your mutinous crew and talk some sense into them. Until then, and I hate to admit it, it looks like you'll have to stay with us."
Ai beamed at the statement. "Falco, I'll tell you where it is, OK?"
"Who needs a map when you have Ai Hoshino?" Falco sighed with a smile. "OK, Wolf, we'll find you and then we'll discuss what's been happening. There's bad news I'm afraid."
"Alright, just hurry up!" Wolf snapped. "Yeah, thanks Ai,"
Ai bowed respectfully just as the intercom turned black.
They had just begun to notice how dark it was outside now. It was almost as black as space and just as empty, silent and unwelcoming. The Smashers had settled in the main room, wrapped up like parcels in the thickest blankets they could find. Shoes were lined up along the wall along with wet clothing though there was no heating device which they could use to dry them quicker. Marth lay awake, listening to everything, struggling to keep sleep at bay. Silently he shed invisible tears for Roy, now commanded by Yoshiki, forever controlled to destroy all those against him. Somewhere, he thought, he would be out there with the other two superior Smashers. As sleep finally overwhelmed him, he promised himself he would find him. I said I would care for you through your transformation... But I never said I would stop caring for you after that...
"Another beer?"
"Yeah, sure!"
"How 'bout you Dedede? You 'aven't even touched the sake, what's the matter with you?"
"He'll show you all who can stomach the most alcohol!"
"I've had ten cans already, guys!"
"OK, Wario, shall we all give you a round of applause? No, 'cause I, the great Captain Falcon 'ave managed to drink twice that amount."
"Whoah, now that's what I call an alcoholic!"
Dedede refused to listen to the incessant racket of drunk Smashers behind him. He had now idea where it had come from or who had smuggled it into the ship, but the smell of alcohol was so intense that his eyes were watering. Mario, Yoshi, Pikachu, Pichu, Mewtwo, Jigglypuff and Diddy cowered underneath Dedede's chair, hoping that they would soon collapse from exhaustion and everything would be normal again. Of course, it could never be normal.
"Could you please be a bit quieter, guys?" Dedede called anxiously. No one really took much notice.
"Wow, I can see a big shining circle on the ground!" gasped Bowser, grabbing another can of Japanese sake.
"That's the stadium!" said Ganondorf, who was a little less drunk. "Dedede, drive us there!"
"I don't think that's a-"
"NOW!"
Dedede jumped and threw his hands on the control panel. Without Wolf directing him everything was a blur that made no sense. Ganondorf stomped into the room and pressed his face onto the glass.
"I can see a star... Twinkle twinkle..."
"Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no... Oh Wolf, I can't do this on my own!" Dedede cried. "What would you say? I've completely ruined this mission... N-no. I won't let that happen. I will find the next microchip for you."
"Chips?" Wario repeated, patting his fat belly. "Microchips?"
This time Dedede found the strength to ignore the comment. Briefly ducking under the chair to check on his frightened comrades, he smiled reassuringly and steered the giant Wolfen towards the ground.
"Please help me find Luigi!" Mario pleaded, tugging at Dedede's cape.
"We will," Dedede replied. "First we will land and we'll discuss everything after we've had a rest. Well, I hope we do get some sleep with that racket going on."
And so in this chapter we say goodbye to Roy... Will we ever see him again? As Falco's team prepares to leave Fukushima to find Wolf in Niigata, Dedede's team stumble across two possible locations for a microchip: a stadium and a castle. And Fumiko returns in the next chapter, but does not join any teams. Any guesses why? It will all be answered in the next chapter which will hopefully not take long this time!
Press the little purple button please!
